Pirates sign Yankees free agent Russell Martin

Catcher gets two-year deal in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates filled their hole at catcher on Friday with Russell Martin, a free agent who played the last two years with the New York Yankees.

Martin signed a two-year, $17 million contract, one that takes him from a team with 26 World Series titles to one with 20 straight losing seasons.

"It's going to be different," the 29-year-old Martin said. "It's going to be a challenge but I think the Pirates have a young and electric club. There is a lot of talent there and I don't think we're as far away as winning as maybe people outside baseball think we are."

Martin had a career-low .211 batting average last season, with 21 home runs and 53 RBI. He'll be reunited with starting pitcher A.J. Burnett, a former teammate in New York.

"It wasn't a very good year," Martin said, "and I know I'm capable of doing better."

The Pirates needed a veteran catcher to replace free agent Rod Barajas. Michael McKenry will still play a significant role as a backup.

"There is a lot to like about Russell," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "He handles a pitching staff well, he calls a good game, he throws well, he is capable of hitting the ball out of the ballpark. We're very excited to be able to add him to our club."

Martin threw out 24 runners last year. Huntington said he has "good arm strength and a quick release but we're going to have to give him help, too. Our pitchers have to do a better job of holding runners."

Martin was offered a three-year, $20 million deal by New York in spring training and did not accept it. The Yankees did not make him an offer after the season ended.

"I like Russell Martin. I'm a big Russell Martin fan," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "But ultimately we have a lot of holes to fill, and we have to be very careful how we spend our money. The market for Russell was aggressive as it should have been, and again our focus has been our pitching."

Copyright 2012 byWTAE.comThe Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.